Outdoor

The Central Upstate Regional Alliance’s “Apple of Your Eye” photography contest. The year-long competition is meant to highlight the Creative Core region through the eyes of those who love it. The “Apple of Your Eye” photography contest challenges people to explore the character and places they value in this region.

Each month, a single, winning image from the pool of submissions will be selected as the image of the month. Your image will:

Clark Reservation State Park is a geologic wonder of the last ice age and a botanist's paradise. The park's natural features include rugged cliffs and rocky outcrops, woodland and meadow, a wetland and a glacial plunge basin lake in which the surface waters and bottom waters do not mix. Fishermen can catch pickerel, bullheads and sunfish; while birdwatchers may observe cedar waxwings, kingfishers and woodpeckers. Guided nature walks leave from the Nature Center building, which also offers numerous exibits.

Sunday's Post Standard featured this story about the newfound cleanliness in Onondaga Lake. This is great news for Syracuse!

Many negative perceptions center around this lake and its infamous pollution levels. In 1987, the Phosphorus levels in the lake were at 120 micrograms per liter. In comparison, Skaneateles Lake, where we get our drinking water, has only 4 micrograms per liter. Now the levels are at 17, which is below the court-ordered level of 20 micrograms.

Summer is the perfect time to get outdoors and explore some of Central New York’s numerous parks. The city of Syracuse operates over 170 parks, fields, and natural areas encompassing over 1000 acres of land – a statistic that ranks Syracuse as a leading supporter for parks in the United States for a city of its size. The parks range in size but they all provide green space for the public to enjoy.

What kind is your favorite? Empire? Macintosh? Cortland? Whatever your choice, there are tons of local apple orchards within a 15 minute drive of downtown for you to sink your teeth into.

A few weeks ago, I visited Beak and Skiff Apple Farms in Lafayette and was pleasantly surprised at all they had to offer. Not only apple picking - complete with riding a tractor out to the orchard and getting "let loose" to choose the perfect pieces for a pie, cake or just to nibble - but a full country store, apple tasting stations, games and horse rides for the kids -- and a winery!

Story and photos by James P. Hughes, courtesy of Life in the Finger Lakes Magazine. (http://www.lifeinthefingerlakes.com/)

How about visiting a place that suggests a trendy urban neighborhood in Boston or New York City, without the long drive? Interested in stylish shopping and exceptional food, casual to fine dining? Do you enjoy varied entertainment, music and nightlife?

It’s time to discover Syracuse’s Armory Square, where you’ll find it all.

Anyone flying US Airways in September 2007 had the opportunity to read a 58-page profile on our great city. It's a glowing review that focuses on everything from entrepreneurship to Dinosaur BBQ.

My favorite section featured a lifelong resident versus a transplant to our area. While their views were different, both mentioned the high quality of life and the variety of things to do.

Check out the links below to read each section of the feature. These are PDFs:

Word of Mouth

Last weekend, my parents were in town. When they show up, I always make an attempt to fill the visit with fun and excitement, with the ultimate goal of showing them how great it is to live in Syracuse. They have lived in Chicago for the majority of their adult lives (in the actual city, not a suburb) and are surprised by how things operate around here. They'll say things like "Do you think we'll hit traffic?" To which my response is a laughing "no.. this is Syracuse!"

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Syracuse Habitat for Humanity proudly announces the second Women Build Project, scheduled to break ground in September 2007. This unique Project empowers women to build Habitat homes, enabling them to positively impact the lives of children by making homeownershop a present reality for familes.

All Women are welcome to participate in the Women Build 2007 Project. Please contact the Syracuse Habitat for Humanity offices at 315.422.2230 to confirm your participation and for additional information.

About Women Build 2007: